In the episode “Josh Is Irrelevant” of the beloved musical comedy-drama Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, we witness a pivotal moment in Rebecca Bunch’s journey: a new and potentially life-changing diagnosis. Picking up after Rebecca’s suicide attempt, the episode dives deep into her mental health, moving beyond the surface-level treatments of anxiety, depression, and OCD she’d previously received. This episode isn’t just about Rebecca getting a label; it’s about understanding the significance of accurate mental health diagnoses and the complex emotions that come with seeking the right kind of help.
Rebecca’s pursuit of understanding her mental state leads her to Dr. Shin, a new psychiatrist who suggests that her past diagnoses might have missed the mark. This sets the stage for a crucial conversation about the power and pitfalls of labels in mental health. While the term “crazy” is stigmatizing and unhelpful, Dr. Shin emphasizes that a precise diagnosis can be a vital step towards effective treatment. It’s about moving beyond generalized help to targeted interventions that truly address the core issues.
This quest for clarity is beautifully captured in the song “A Diagnosis,” a classic “I Want” song in the musical theater tradition. Rebecca belts out her hopes for what a diagnosis could bring – an end to the years of confusion and ineffective treatments. The lyrics highlight her frustration with the trial-and-error approach she’s endured: “And when I tried to find the reason for my sadness and terror/ All the solutions were trial and error/ Take this pill, say this chant, move here for this guy …” She imagines a diagnosis as an award, a golden ticket to understanding and belonging.
Alt text: Rebecca Bunch passionately sings “A Diagnosis” on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, expressing her longing for a mental health label to understand herself.
However, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend masterfully avoids a simplistic, feel-good narrative around diagnosis. Rebecca’s initial excitement about receiving a label quickly turns to disappointment when Dr. Shin diagnoses her with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Her reaction is raw and relatable. “It’s not something I have, it’s something I am,” she tells her friends, reflecting the deep-seated stigma and fear surrounding BPD. The internet searches only amplify her despair, highlighting the negative stereotypes associated with the disorder and the perceived difficulty of treatment.
This nuanced portrayal is crucial. The show doesn’t present a diagnosis as a magic wand. Instead, it realistically depicts the emotional rollercoaster that often follows receiving a mental health diagnosis. Rebecca’s journey to acceptance is not immediate. She even entertains the idea of seeking a “better” diagnosis, showcasing the common desire to avoid labels that carry stigma or feel overwhelming.
It’s only when her psychiatrist methodically walks her through the DSM criteria for BPD that Rebecca begins to accept the diagnosis. This moment of acknowledgment is not presented as a triumphant victory, but rather as a necessary step forward. The episode culminates with Rebecca committing to group therapy, signaling the start of a long and challenging, but ultimately hopeful, path to recovery. The diagnosis isn’t a cure, but it provides a roadmap, a direction for Rebecca to move forward and seek appropriate treatment.
The episode cleverly balances this weighty subject matter with the show’s signature humor. The contrasting storyline featuring Valencia and her “movement” provides comedic relief while also offering social commentary. Valencia’s self-absorbed activism, fueled by social media validation and a severe case of constipation, is satirized in the hilarious song “This Is My Movement.”
Alt text: Valencia Perez earnestly performs “This Is My Movement” on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, satirizing performative online activism.
This song, filled with toilet humor and double entendres, serves as a brilliant juxtaposition to Rebecca’s serious storyline. It highlights the absurdity of performative activism and the contrast between genuine personal struggles and the often superficial nature of online movements. The appearance of a suicide lifeline operator in Valencia’s song, only to be dismissed for lacking a hashtag, further emphasizes this critique of “Dear Evan Hansen”-style activism and the importance of substance over style.
Ultimately, “Josh Is Irrelevant” is a powerful episode of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend because of its honest and multifaceted exploration of mental health diagnosis. It acknowledges the relief and hope that a diagnosis can bring, while also confronting the stigma, fear, and complex emotions that often accompany it. Rebecca’s journey is a reminder that a diagnosis is not the end of the story, but rather the beginning of a path towards understanding, treatment, and recovery. And sometimes, a little toilet humor can make the journey a bit more bearable.
